Circumferential Gastric Wall Thickening With Lymphadenopathy

Abstract

Question: A 78-year-old Japanese man with a history of hypertension and abdominal aortic aneurysm visited our hospital for epigastric discomfort lasting more than a week. Blood examination revealed mildly elevated white blood cell counts (9900/μL) and normal red blood cell and platelet counts. Biochemical analyses indicated no specific abnormalities except mildly elevated C-reactive protein levels (1.89 mg/dL, normal range <0.14 mg/dL). Serum tumor marker levels, including carcinoembryonic antigen and carbohydrate antigen 19-9, were within the normal ranges. Although Helicobacter pylori infection was detected via serum antibody test, he had not received eradication therapy previously. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed circumferential gastric wall thickening with hyperenhancement on the mucosal surface, accompanied by infrapyloric lymphadenopathies (Figure A). Minimal ascites was found around the liver and in the pelvis. On fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography–CT, the thickened gastric wall and swollen lymph nodes showed intense accumulation of FDG with a maximum standardized uptake value of 5.23 and 4.33, respectively (Figure B). Moreover, minor mucosal erosions and ulcerations on the gastric body and the antrum were observed during esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) (Figure C). The distensibility of the gastric wall by CO2 insufflation was not impaired on EGD. Endoscopic mucosal biopsies were performed on the thickened gastric wall with ulcerations. What is the most likely diagnosis here, and how should these lesions be treated? Look on page 339 for the answer and see the Gastroenterology website (www.gastrojournal.org) for more information on submitting to Gastro Curbside Consult. Gastric linitis plastica (GLP), a distinct subtype of gastric cancer characterized by thickening and rigidity of the gastric wall,1Vivier-Chicoteau J. Lambert J. Coriat R. et al.Development and internal validation of a diagnostic score for gastric linitis plastica.Gastric Cancer. 2020; 23: 639-647Crossref PubMed Scopus (10) Google Scholar was primarily suspected from the imaging findings. Perigastric lymphadenopathies and ascites suggested lymph node metastases and peritoneal dissemination, reflecting the aggressive behavior of GLP.1Vivier-Chicoteau J. Lambert J. Coriat R. et al.Development and internal validation of a diagnostic score for gastric linitis plastica.Gastric Cancer. 2020; 23: 639-647Crossref PubMed Scopus (10) Google Scholar However, the biopsy obtained from the margins of the ulceration did not reveal any malignant cells suggestive of GLP. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining showed infiltration of numerous histiocytes and noncaseating granuloma formation (Figure D). Because the superficial biopsy often results in inconclusive diagnosis of GLP, laparoscopic resection of the swollen infrapyloric lymph nodes was performed to obtain a more substantial amount of tissue. HE staining of the surgically resected lymph nodes showed the formation of multiple small-size epithelioid granulomas (Figure E). To determine the etiology of granuloma formation, various kinds of immunohistochemical studies were performed. Accumulation of H pylori was observed inside the granuloma of both gastric mucosa (Figure F) and lymph nodes (Figure G) with the use of H pylori–specific antibody (B0471; Dako, Denmark) whereas Epstein-Barr virus or tuberculosis was not detected by in situ hybridization or Ziehl-Neelsen staining. In addition, the possibility of gastric sarcoidosis was low because the serum angiotensin-converting enzyme level was not elevated and gastric granuloma was negative for immunostaining of monoclonal antibody against Propionibacterium acnes (D371-3; MBL, Japan).2Yamaguchi T. Costabel U. McDowell A. et al.Immunohistochemical detection of potential microbial antigens in granulomas in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis.J Clin Med. 2021; 10: 983Crossref PubMed Scopus (17) Google Scholar,3Inomata M. Ikushima S. Awano N. et al.Upper gastrointestinal sarcoidosis: report of three cases.Intern Med. 2012; 51: 1689-1694Crossref PubMed Scopus (16) Google Scholar Therefore, the diagnosis of granulomatous gastritis associated with H pylori infection was made. Successful H pylori eradication therapy with vonoprazan, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin improved his symptoms. Furthermore, gastric wall thickening on CT as well as gastric mucosal ulcerations on EGD disappeared entirely 6 months after the H pylori eradication (Figures H and I), which further verified the diagnosis. This case highlights that granulomatous gastritis associated with H pylori infection needs to be considered in the differential diagnosis when encountering H pylori–positive cases exhibiting circumferential gastric wall thickening with lymphadenopathy.